HIRE WITH YOUR HEAD: A RATIONAL WAY TO MAKE A GUT DECISION

When it comes to hiring, particularly in today's competitive business arena, it's important to remember that you're
only as strong as your weakest link. As such, it's crucial you avoid recruiting "links" that may adversely affect your organization in any way. Though there aren't any fool-proof methods of knowing exactly how job candidates will work out, there are precautionary measures you can take to eliminate from your list those who definitely won't. Written by veteran headhunter Lou Adler, this unique resource arms you with the tools necessary to sidestep potentially costly mistakes by judging more accurately who fits the bill---and who doesn't.

Most managers understand the importance of hiring wisely, but many tail to do so, falling into the all-too-common trap of choosing prospective employees based solely on gut reaction. As Adler points out, this strategy, while occasionally productive, is often ineffectual: "first impressions based on emotions, biases, chemistry, personality, and stereotyping cause more hiring mistakes than any other single factor." The key to dodging this pitfall is to use reason---not emotion---to guide your hiring decisions.

In this invaluable new guide, Adler illustrates how to Hire with Your Head, showing you how to focus more on candidate performance, and less on your own impulses. Covering the fundamentals of sound hiring, including proper interviewing and assessment techniques, he introduces his groundbreaking POWER Staffing System, an innovative method developed to address all of the problems and inconsistencies typically involved in the hiring process. Based on Adler's extensive experience as both a headhunter and an executive-level manager, this practical and easy-to-follow approach consists of five distinct steps:

Performance-based job descriptions---defining superior performance
Objective evaluations---conduct a complete objective assessment with only four questions
Well-developed sourcing plans---you need to see top people to hire top people
Emotional control---overcoming emotional reactions and remaining objective
Recruiting effectiveness---negotiating and closing an offer on your terms

Packed with a wealth of invaluable tips and helpful exercises, as well as useful checklists and revealing benchmarks, Hire with Your Head is an indispensable, handson guide every manager can use to attain hiring success.

LOU ADLER is one of the country's leading headhunters and an often-quoted industry expert. His company, CJA-The Adler Group, is an executive search and organizational consulting firm based in southern California.